The predecessor group to the Midlands International Group was the East Midlands International Student Working Group, comprised of careers staff from the Universities of Derby, De Montfort, Leicester, Lincoln, Loughborough, Northampton, Nottingham, and Nottingham Trent. This originally informal Group was initiated by the first International Careers Adviser in Loughborough; the first meetings began in 1995 to share information and best practice.

From 2010 this group collaborated on a number of projects:

 

AGCAS-UKCISA Workshop: Collaborating to improve international student resources and experience, 2013
A CPD workshop ran in association with AGCAS and UKCISA to promote collaboration between institutions and provide advice for other regional groups looking to emulate the model.

 

CPD Workshop for Careers Professionals: Professional Discussion Forum: International Students and Employability, 2012
In partnership with AGCAS, the group organised and facilitated a training session for more than 20 front-line careers staff working with International Students throughout the region and beyond. The aim was to provide professionals with information and advice on common issues and questions posed to Careers Staff by International Students, such as:

  • Expectations and understanding of UK recruitment processes
  • Visa issues and the new regulations
  • How to tackle work status questions and UCAS points in online application forms

 

India-East Midlands Business and Employment Possibilities fair, 2010

The India – East Midlands Business and Employment Possibilities fair, and sponsored by the India East Midlands Business Bureau and part funded by PMI2, was held at Nottingham University Business School on 17th June 2010 and attended by over 200 students from across the region.

See here for a video summarising the event.

India-UK event poster

India – East Midlands Business and Employment Possibilities fair poster

 

China-East Midlands Business & Employment Possibilities fair, 2009

The China – East Midlands Business & Employment Possibilities fair, sponsored by China Business Bureau and part funded by EMDA, was held at Nottingham University Business School on 5th June 2009 and attended by over 250 students from the region.

See here for a video summarising the event.

China-UK event poster

China-East Midlands Business and Employment Possibilities fair poster

 

Research project: Survey of employer attitudes to international students and graduates, 2007

Published by Dr Dave Burnapp, this was a cooperative project conducted with the support of the East Midlands Development Agency.

The research concerned the employment of international students and graduates (i.e. those from outside the EU and the EEA) in the region. The context of this research arose from the ‘Prime Minister’s Initiative Phase 2 for International Students’, (British Council, 2006) and the DFES international strategy ‘Putting the World into World-Class Education’ (DfES, 2004), which both aim to increase the numbers of international students studying in the UK as well as linking the internationalisation of UK education to the development of a strong globalised economy.

The full report can be found here.

 

Employer Guides: 2012, 2008 and 2005

The group produced a number of guides for employers.

An initial leaflet, in association with and part-funded by EMDA, was produced in 2005 showcasing the value of employing international students also provided case studies and an overview of work permit schemes.

This initial leaflet was updated and enhanced in 2008 with a CD-Rom entitled ‘Enhancing your business with International Talent’ (in association with HotProspects) which was distributed to local employers.

Employer Guide 2008 cover

Employer Guide CD-ROM cover, 2008

In 2012 a further leaflet was produced by the group, in association with Freeth Cartwright (now Freeths) Immigration team, for individual services to brand and provide to employers. This leaflet contained an overview of work permit programmes for employers looking to recruit international students.